Unboxing the Nintendo Wii U

Later this month the next console generation begins in earnest with the release of Nintendo’s hotly anticipated Wii U. While its predecessor, the wildly popular Nintendo Wii, sought to bring together gamers old and new around the family television, the Wii U instead hopes to position itself as an all-in-one device, a combining games, entertainment and social interaction across two distinct screens.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Contact wiredlabs@wired.com to report an issue.

Just yesterday a review unit from Nintendo of America arrived for my early perusal – complete with some additional games and accessories. While I’ll be further exploring the ins and outs of the system in more detail as we draw nearer to launch day, I decided to kick off my coverage with that ancient internet tradition known as the unboxing video.

Big thanks to NOA for allowing me early access, and a special shout-out to the team at Looxcie, Inc. They were kind enough to lend me one of the new Looxcie 2 wearable social video cameras just for the occasion. This mobile-connected (you can actually catch my iPhone in a couple of shots) POV device allowed me use both hands for the very important task of tearing through so much cardboard and clingy packing wrap.

And while I’m heaping kudos, I guess I should also give some love to Rooms To Go for their reasonably priced area rugs. I mean, I paid for that one myself, but it totally brings the room together.

Here’s The Thing With Ad Blockers

We get it: Ads aren’t what you’re here for. But ads help us keep the lights on. So, add us to your ad blocker’s whitelist or pay $1 per week for an ad-free version of WIRED. Either way, you are supporting our journalism. We’d really appreciate it.